Top Selling Guns | May 2023

As we take a look at this month’s GunBroker.com Top Selling Report, presented by GunGenius.com, we find that Springfield's M1A clings to the top five spot in new semiauto rifle sales. And, even though it didn't make the cut in May, Springfield's Saint rifle has consistently dominated the rankings in recent months. It's no surprise that Springfield continues to secure these top spots since Springfield consistently produces guns that shooters love, but what is surprising is just how different Springfield’s two best-selling new guns are in terms of design and function.

Old School Cool

In the fifth-place position among sales of new semiauto rifles this month is Springfield’s M1A. The M1A was first offered by Springfield as a civilian version of the M14, the selective fire combat rifle that replace the vaunted M1 Garand in the late 1950s. The M14 was lighter and fired the then-new 7.62x51 cartridge. M14 rifles were seen in use throughout the 1960s and into the early 1970s when they were replaced by the M16.

Despite being out of service, the M14 was still a popular rifle used for military drills, training, and in competition. Springfield’s release of the M1A in 1974 was met with great enthusiasm, at least in part because many gun enthusiasts at the time were not impressed with the new-age M16 that fired .22-caliber rounds and eschewed the classic wood stock seen on service rifles since America was founded to a polymer stock.

The M1A is offered in a wide range of models to suit a broad range of needs including the SOCOM 16 version which comes with a 16.25-inch barrel for a shorter overall length, making it the most compact M1A. There’s also a version available with an adjustable stock, reducing overall length even more. The M1A Scout Squad rifle is my personal favorite because it offers a two-stage trigger and aperture rear sight along with a forward-mounted rail for adding an optic. Traditionalists will love the M1A Standard Issue rifle which, as you may have guessed, is designed to match specs on the original rifles and is only available with a walnut stock. The M1A Loaded series of rifles offers lots of options like National match barrels and triggers and several stock options. It’s also the only M1A chambered in anything but 7.62/.308: the Loaded rifle is available in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Updated ARs

Remember how I mentioned that part of the M1A’s initial appeal to shooters in 1974 was that it was not an M16? My, how opinions have changed regarding Eugene Stoner’s rifle. Today the AR is the most popular rifle in America, used for personal defense, target and competition shooting, and hunting. Springfield’s Saint rifle is among the best-selling black guns on the market today, which is not an easy feat considering how many AR manufacturers exist. But there are several factors that set Saint rifles apart. First, they offer lots of options that shooters actually want like M-Lok compatible fore ends, good triggers, and adjustable stocks. Saint rifles are available in several varieties and calibers including the Saint Victor in 9mm, a slick, smooth-operating PCC that’s loads of fun to shoot.

But what’s perhaps most appealing about these guns is that they are a great value. You can purchase a bare-bones AR for just under a thousand bucks, but the Saint rifles start at just over a grand and come equipped with many of the goods shooters would have to pay to add onto their rifle. And it’s not just furniture upgrades that make the Saint so great. The forged aluminum uppers and lowers are precision machined and Melonite surface treatments help protect the metal and improve lubricity. Saint rifles run well even when the conditions are bad, and that’s one reason so many shooters love them.

Breaking Ground

As the Saint family continues to grow Springfield adds more models each year, and the latest addition to the Saint line is the Saint Victor Law Tactical Folder in 5.56. As the name suggests, the B5 adjustable stock comes with a Law Tactical folding adapter that allows the stock to fold and lock against the rifle for easier transport. Like other Saint Victor rifles it comes with a pinned gas block and a trim M-Lok handguard that’s easy to manipulate and offers lots of room for adding accessories. The flip-up sights are easy to operate and the nickel boron flat-face trigger makes shooting small groups simpler.

I had an opportunity to test the Saint Victor Law Tactical Folder, and I must say that it’s no surprise that Springfield’s rifles sell so well. From the sights to the stock everything about the gun’s design makes sense. Weight is kept to a minimum—just over seven pounds—and with so many M-Lok and QD attachment points and ample top rail space you can design this rifle to fit your desired application. The 16-inch CMV barrel comes with a Melonite finish and a brake, and it’s simple to remove the brake and add a suppressor if you’d like.

The Springfield’s accuracy proved outstanding and it handled exceptionally well while running drills. The Law Tactical stock adapter allows shooters to swing the B5 SOPMOD stock alongside the receiver where it locks in place and won’t rattle while transporting the gun.

The Springfield Saint Victor Law Tactical Folder is a well-appointed gun, especially for $1,363. It’s also an example of why Springfield does so well in the semiauto rifle market: they understand their customers. Whether you want a vintage Scout or match gun or a modern AR with the most popular features you’ll find what you’re looking for at Springfield.

Top Selling Guns Sold in May 2023

Source: gungenius.com/top-selling/

To learn more or shop for any of the guns listed, visit Gun Genius at www.gungenius.com/top-selling.

Editor's note: In the report, guns are rated from one to five within each category, with the number one gun being the most popular that month. The numbers are color-coded to show any changes in the ranks from the previous report.

Black = Steady
Green = Up
Red = Down

Source: gungenius.com/top-selling/

To learn more or shop for any of the guns listed, visit Gun Genius at www.gungenius.com/top-selling.

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